By David BoscoDavid Bosco, a Foreign Policy contributing editor and assistant professor at American University's School of International Service. He is at work on a book about the International Criminal Court's first decade.

January 30, 2012

The World Trade Organization’s appellate body ruled today that China’s restrictions on the export of certain key minerals was illegal:

The World Trade Organization on Monday upheld its ruling that Chinese restrictions on key raw material exports broke trade rules following an appeal by Beijing.

China must bring its duty and export quota measures on elements including magnesium and zinc into line with its WTO obligations, an appeal body said.

The WTO found in favour of the United States, European Union and Mexico in July following a complaint that China had failed to meet the promises it made when joining the body.

U.S. trade officials–who have made targeting Chinese trade practices a focus of their work– immediately celebrated the ruling:

The Obama Administration will continue to ensure that China and every other country play by the rules so that U.S. workers and companies can compete and succeed on a level playing field. During his State of the Union Address last week, the President laid out a blueprint for an economy that’s built to last – an economy built with the renewed strength of American manufacturing. Today’s decision ensures that core manufacturing industries in this country can get the materials they need to produce and compete on a level playing field.

China, for its part, "deeply regrets" the ruling but pledged to abide by it.

Correction: The original post has been modified to reflect that fact that the WTO decision was not on the ‘rare earth’ minerals, but others. The decision does have clear ramifications for the rare earths dispute however.

Share +

TwitterFacebookGoogle +Reddit

3 Shares

Related Stories

70 Shares

David BoscoDavid Bosco, a Foreign Policy contributing editor and assistant professor at American University's School of International Service. He is at work on a book about the International Criminal Court's first decade. | The Multilateralist |

3 Shares

David BoscoDavid Bosco, a Foreign Policy contributing editor and assistant professor at American University's School of International Service. He is at work on a book about the International Criminal Court's first decade. | The Multilateralist |

3 Shares

About David Bosco

David Bosco, a Foreign Policy contributing editor and assistant professor at American University's School of International Service. He is at work on a book about the International Criminal Court's first decade.